Flower-encapsulating apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for encapsulating flowers, particularly orchids, in plastic, comprising mounting a flower on a jig assembly that holds it in its natural-appearing shape, and sinking the assembly in an alcohol solution to dehydrate the flower so that it can be encapsulated in plastic.

United States Patent Mike S. Shimooka P.0. Box 11184, Honolulu, Hawaii96814 825,753

May 19, 1969 May 4, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed PatentedFLOWER-ENCAPSULATING APPARATUS AND METHOD 11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

us. Cl 34/9,

' 271/30 rm. Cl F26b 3/00 Field of Search... 34/9, 60

[56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,906,636 9/1959 HoivikPrimary ExaminerJohn J. Camby Attorney-Lindenberg, Freilich andWasserman ABSTRACT: Apparatus and method for encapsulating flowers,particularly orchids, in plastic, comprising mounting a flower on a jigassembly that holds it in its natural-appearing shape, and sinking theassembly in an alcohol solution to dehydrate the flower so that it canbe encapsulated in plastic.

PATENIEU HAY 41971 v I INVENTOR. MIKE SH/MOQKA? FLOWER-ENCAPSULATINGAPPARATUS AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of theInvention This invention relates to apparatus and methods for thepreservation of flowers.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many objects can be encapsulated in ablock of clear plastic to preserve and display them, and also to providean attractive paperweight or other useful objects. Flowers are objectsthat would benefit especially from such encapsulation, inasmuch as theydecay rapidly and are easily injured if not well protected, and becausetheir beauty would provide especially attractive paper weights and otherobjects if they could be successfully encapsulated. Among the many typesof flowers, the orchid could benefit especially well, inasmuch as it isespecially beautiful and is representativeof particular geographicalareas, such as the state of Hawaii, so that it can serve as a souvenirfor visitors. p

Major difficulties in encapsulating flowers in clear plastic or the likeare that the flowers degenerate when they are embedded in plastic,typically turning gray, and that they do not maintain their naturalshape. Maintenance of shape is especially difflcult in the case oflarge, delicately curved flowers such as orchids, which are easilydeformed and which appear highly unnatural when deformed.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present inventionis to provide an economical method and apparatus therefor forencapsulating flowers, which results in the flower having anatural-appearing configuration in the encapsulating matrix.

Another object is to provide apparatus for use in preparing flowers,particularly orchids, for encapsulation, which enables economy in theuse of materials, standardization of mold parts, and economical massproduction.

In accordance with the present invention, a flower and encapsulatingmethod and apparatus therefor are provided which enable theencapsulating of flowers so that theyappear natural. The methodcomprises mounting a flower on ajig and sinking them in a dehydratingfluid such as alcohol. The assembly is then removed from the fluid, thefluid is dried off, and the now-rigid flower is encapsulated in a clearmaterial such as a clear plastic matrix.

In one embodiment ofthe invention, the jigincludes a lower member forsupporting the flower and an upper member for gently sinking thenormally buoyant flower. The upper jig member is constructed of manyindependent sections, and of a material which is flaccid, or limp, whensoaked in a dehydrat ing fluid. This allows the upper jig member topress down gently on all upper regions ofthe flower so that the outerends of the petallike parts do not curl and the flower is retained inits natural configuration. The dehydrating material is an alcohol, andthe upper jig member is constructed of light cardboard which becomesflaccid in alcohol. The upper jig member includes a central portion andnumerous separate arms radiating from the central portion, the armgently holding down all of the'petals and sepals which would otherwisetend to curl up in the alcohol. The lower jig comprises a platform forholding up the petals and sepals and a central hole for receiving thecentral portion of the flower from which the petals and sepals radiate.

In another embodiment of the invention, a single jig member is used, anda flower is fastened to it to prevent the flower from rising in thedehydrating solution. The jig has upwardly extending-flanges that holdcertain petallike parts of the flower in a curved configuration thatprevents upward curling oftheir ends.

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. The invention will be best understood from thefollowing description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS joaquim orchid which it is adaptedto'hold; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, with a vandajoaquim orchid therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The encapsulation of flowers inaccordance with this invention is accomplished by immersing a freshflower in a dehydrating fluid such as alcohol and drying off thealcohol. The dehydration preserves the flower and makes it stifi so thatit holds its shape during the molding of a clear plastic matrix aroundit. The rigid dehydrated flower can be placed in a mold and a clearplastic resin matrix is injected into the mold to surround the flower soit is embedded therein. The mold can be of a size and shape for use ofthe object as a paperweight that displays the flower. The embedding ofthe rigid, dehydrated herefore.

4 In accordance with the invention, a rigid, dehydrated flower having anatural-appearing configuration is produced by immersing a fresh flowerin a dehydrating fluid such as alcohol while supporting the flower in ajig assembly to hold it in a natural-appearing configuration. Afterdehydration, the jig assembly with the now-rigid flower is removed fromthe dehydrating fluid, the flower is removed from the jig assembly, andthe dehydrating fluid is allowed to evaporate from the flower. Theflower is then surrounded with a liquid plastic for encapsulation.

FIG. I illustrates the process and apparatus used in dehydrating anorchid I0 of a type generally referred to as the dendrobium. Theimmersion is accomplished by the use of a lower jig 12 which supportsthe flower from below, and an upper jig. 14 which presses down gently onthe flower to prevent it from rising in the alcohol. A lower jig support16 elevates and maintains the shape of the lower jig. An operator graspsthe rim of the jig support with a tweezers I8, and lowers the apparatusinto a dehydrating bath 22 such as a solution containing a butylalcohol, to remove moisture from the flower. After the flower has becomedehydrated, he removes the assembly from the solution, removes theflower from the jig assembly, and places the flower on a tray to dry.

FIG. 2 illustrates the lower and upper jigs l2, l4 and the dendrobiumorchid I0 which they support during the dehydration process. Thedendrobium I0 comprises a cup-shaped center portion 24 and a stem 26extending downwardly from a location near the center portion. Thisorchid has six petallike parts, including three petals 28, 30, 32 andthree sepals 34, 36, and 37, which radiate from the center portion. Thelower jig I2 comprises an open central cylindrical portion 38 and aplurality of arms 40 radiating out from the top of it. The cylindricalportion of the lower jig receives a downwardly protruding center portion24 and stem 26 of the orchid so that the petals and sepals are supportedon the arms 40 without deforming downwardly to the level of the centerportion.

The upper jig I4 is similar to the lower jig, it also having an opencentral cylindrical portion 42 with a plurality of arms 44 radiatingfrom it. The upper jig is constructed of a light material which is stiffwhen dry but flaccid, or limp, in the dehydrating fluid, such as paper.When the orchid has been placed on the lower jig 12, the upper jig 14may be placed on top of the orchid. The upper jig 14 is light so it'doesnot substantially deform the flowers configuration. When the jigassembly, with the orchid therein, is gently immersed in the alcoholdehydration bath, the arms 44 of the upper jig become limp and theydroop down to generally follow the contours of the orchid. The petalsand sepals generally tend to rise in the alcohol and their ends tend tocurl, and if they were not held down by a generally evenly appliedpressure, they would extend upward at a greater, unnatural angle, andtheir ends would curl up. However, the limp arms 40 of the upper jighold down the outer ends of the petals and sepals so they retain theirnatural configuration. The arms 44 are light enough so that they 'do notactually flatten the petals and sepals, but they do prevent local areas,particularly the ends, from acquiring an excessive upward curvature.After the jig assembly is removed from the alcohol and the orchid isremoved from the jig assembly, the jig members are dried and may bereused.

Both upper and lower jigs can be produced from paper or light cardboardby cutting a sheet of it into strips that are joined only along one edgeportion. The lower jig I2 is made more rigid than the upper jug 14 byusing stiffer paper or two or more plies of the same paper material.After cutting the sheet into strips, it is rolled and glued to form acylinder, with the edge portion where the strips are joined forming thecenter 38 or 42 of the jig and the strips forming the arms 40 or 44thereof. The multiarm configuration of the jigs prevents entrapment ofair by the jigs, which assures that they sink in the alcohol bath eventhough they are light. The multiarm form of the upper jig and itsflaccidity in the dehydration fluid also assures the application oflight pressure on the orchid at all regions thereof, the arms generallyfollowing the natural configuration of the orchid, and there being onlylimited areas between the arms which are free of such pressure. Thestiffness of the upperjig, prior to immersion in alcohol, facilitatesits placement on the orchid so that the arms will lie on all regionsthereof.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a lower jig which is especially adapted for use indehydrating a type of orchid known as the vanda joaquim. The vandajoaquim 50 has a cup-shaped center portion 52, a stem 54 extending froma position near the periphery of the center portion, and petals 56, 58,60 and sepals 62, 64, 66 radiating from the center portion. The vandajoaquim orchid is formed differently from the dendrobium, in that thestem 54 extends from a position near the level of the petals and sepals,and in a direction angled away from the center portion as well asdownwardly. Furthermore, in its natural-appearing configuration, thepetal 56 curves up to a position substantially above the level of theinner ends of the sepals 62, 64 on either side of it, while on the otherside of the flower the petals 58, 60 and sepal 66 curve up together. Itis desirable to hold the vanda joaquim in this general configuration,inasmuch as a more flattened shape would result in an unnaturalappearance.

As shown in the FIGS., the jig 68 comprises a base portion 70 withupwardly extending flanges 72, 74 on opposite sides of the base. A largecentral aperture 76 in the center of the base is provided to receive thecup-shaped center portion of the orchid, and a smaller aperture 78 isprovided to receive the stem 54. When the vanda joaquim orchid ispositioned in the lower jig, with the center in the aperture 76 and thestem in the aperture 78, the outer end of petal 56'rests on flange 72while the petals 58, 60 and sepal 66 rest on flange 74. The other sepals62, 64 rest on the base portions 80, 82, below the level of the flanges.The orchid is held to the lower jig by attaching a pin 84 or otherfastener to the portion of the stem 54 which extends below the base, asshown in FIG. 5. In addition, a pin 86 is inserted through the lip petal56 and through the base 70. Thus, the stem 54 which extends from aninner end of the sepals 66 is held down to the base and the lip petal 56is held to the base. The sepal 66 and petal 56 lie over the other petals58, 60 and sepals 62, 64 to hold them down, so all major portions of theorchid are held down.

The flower has a small degree of stiffness even when initially immersedin the alcohol bath, which causes each of the petals and sepals toremain in a close-to-natural form so long as the major portions of theflower are held down. The outer ends of the petal 56 and sepal 66 areprevented from curling down substantially, because of the flanges 72,74. The upward sweep in which petal 56 and sepal 66 are held by theflanges tends to prevent upward curling of their ends. Accordingly, avanda joaquim held in the manner of FIG. 5 can be immersed in an alcoholbath without an upper jig on top it. In order to reduce the possibilityof trapping air bubbles under the base 70, a pair of holes 88, 90 areprovided therein to allow air to escape so the jig can sink.

The jig 68 can be easily made from ordinary paper cups, by cutting offthe sides a small distance from the bottom, and flattening part of thesides to form the base portions 80, 82.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described andillustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variationsmay readily occur to those skilled in the art, and consequently, it isintended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications andequivalents. I claim: I. A method for encapsulating a flower whichincludes a plurality of petallike parts including a first part that lieson top of portions of adjacent petallike parts comprising:

mounting said flower in a jig that supports it substantially in anatural-appearing configuration, including holding down said firstpetallike part to a portion of said jig which lies below it; v immersingsaid flower and jig in a dehydrating fluid; removing dehydrating fluidfrom said flower; and embedding said flower in' an encapsulating matrix,whereby to revent. excessive upward movement of said first and saidadjacent petallike parts. 2. A method for encapsulating a flowercomprising: mounting said flower in a jig that has a base portion forproviding upward support to said flower, said base portion having anaperture for receiving the stem of said including inserting said stemthrough said aperture and applying fastening means to a portion of saidstem which projects through said aperture to prevent withdrawal of saidstem from said aperture;

immersing said flower and jig in a dehydrating fluid;

removing dehydrating fluid from said flower; and

embedding said flower in an encapsulating matrix.

3. A method for encapsulating a flower comprising:

placing said flower on a first jig member, and placing a second jigmember of material which is flaccid in a predetermined dehydrating fluidon said flower so that portions of said second member can droop to bearagainst outer portions of petallike parts of said flower;

immersing said flower and jig in a dehydrating fluid;

removing dehydrating fluid from said flower; and

embedding said flower in an encapsulating matrix.

4. In the encapsulating of a flower with petallike parts extending froma downwardly protruding center portion by embedding said flower in asubstantially transparent resin matrix, the improvement comprisingimmersing said flower in a dehydrating fluid while supporting at leastsome of said petallike parts at a level above the lower level of saiddownwardly protruding center por- Mon.

5. The improvement described in claim 4 wherein:

said flower has a stem extending downwardly from the level of saidpetallike parts; and including projecting said stem through an aperturein a jig to hold down said flower so that at least some of saidpetallike parts rest on said jig, and attaching a fastener to a portionof said stem opposite said petallike parts.

6. The improvement described in claim 4 including placing a jig memberof a material, which is substantially stiff when dry and flaccid whenwetted with said dehydrating fluid, on Up of said flower to press downon at least some of said petallike parts.

7. Jig apparatus for holding a flower during immersion in a fluidcomprising:

a first member for supporting petallike parts of said flower. saidmember including a centralportion with a recess for receiving thecup-shaped center portion of said flower at a level below the petallikeparts; and

a second member for placement on top of a flower to hold it against saidfirst member.

8. The jig apparatus described in claim 7 wherein said second memberincludes jig portions for bearing against outer petallike portions ofsaid flower, said jig portions constructed of a material which issubstantially flaccid in said fluid.

9. The jig apparatus described in claim 7 wherein said second membercomprises a central portion and a plu' rality of arms extending out fromsaid central portion, said arms constructed of material which issubstantially limp when in said fluid. l0. Jig apparatus for holding aflower with a downwardly projecting center portion during immersion in afluid'comprising a member having a base for supporting at least some ofthe petallike parts of said flower, walls forming an aperture at acentral portion of said base. for receiving said center portion of saidbase for receiving said center portion of said flower, and a raisedplatform portion spaced outwardly from said aperture for holding anouter portion of at least one of said petallikepartsat a level aboveportions of other petallike parts. I l l. The jig apparatus described inclaim 10 including means defining a second aperture in said base forreceiving the stem "of said flower, whereby to enable the fastening of aprojecting stem portion to hold down said flower.

2. A method for encapsulating a flower comprising: mounting said flowerin a jig that has a base portion for providing upward support to saidflower, said base portion having an aperture for receiving the stem ofsaid flower; including inserting said stem through said aperture andapplying fastening means to a portion of said stem which projectsthrough said aperture to prevent withdrawal of said stem from saidaperture; immersing said flower and jig in a dehydrating fluid; removingdehydrating fluid from said flower; and embedding said flower in anencapsulating matrix.
 3. A method for encapsulating a flower comprising:placing said flower on a first jig member, and placing a second jigmember of material which is flaccid in a predetermined dehydrating fluidon said flower so that portions of said second member can droop to bearagainst outer portions of petallike parts of said flower; immersing saidflower and jig in a dehydrating fluid; removing dehydrating fluid fromsaid flower; and embedding said flower in an encapsulating matrix.
 4. Inthe encapsulating of a flower with petallike parts extending from adownwardLy protruding center portion by embedding said flower in asubstantially transparent resin matrix, the improvement comprisingimmersing said flower in a dehydrating fluid while supporting at leastsome of said petallike parts at a level above the lower level of saiddownwardly protruding center portion.
 5. The improvement described inclaim 4 wherein: said flower has a stem extending downwardly from thelevel of said petallike parts; and including projecting said stemthrough an aperture in a jig to hold down said flower so that at leastsome of said petallike parts rest on said jig, and attaching a fastenerto a portion of said stem opposite said petallike parts.
 6. Theimprovement described in claim 4 including placing a jig member of amaterial, which is substantially stiff when dry and flaccid when wettedwith said dehydrating fluid, on top of said flower to press down on atleast some of said petallike parts.
 7. Jig apparatus for holding aflower during immersion in a fluid comprising: a first member forsupporting petallike parts of said flower, said member including acentral portion with a recess for receiving the cup-shaped centerportion of said flower at a level below the petallike parts; and asecond member for placement on top of a flower to hold it against saidfirst member.
 8. The jig apparatus described in claim 7 wherein saidsecond member includes jig portions for bearing against outer petallikeportions of said flower, said jig portions constructed of a materialwhich is substantially flaccid in said fluid.
 9. The jig apparatusdescribed in claim 7 wherein said second member comprises a centralportion and a plurality of arms extending out from said central portion,said arms constructed of material which is substantially limp when insaid fluid.
 10. Jig apparatus for holding a flower with a downwardlyprojecting center portion during immersion in a fluid comprising amember having a base for supporting at least some of the petallike partsof said flower, walls forming an aperture at a central portion of saidbase for receiving said center portion of said base for receiving saidcenter portion of said flower, and a raised platform portion spacedoutwardly from said aperture for holding an outer portion of at leastone of said petallike parts at a level above portions of other petallikeparts.
 11. The jig apparatus described in claim 10 including meansdefining a second aperture in said base for receiving the stem of saidflower, whereby to enable the fastening of a projecting stem portion tohold down said flower.